And among the first to pay tribute was his comedy partner and co-star Griff Rhys Jones – with whom he founded the production company Talkback.

“I still can’t believe this has happened,” said Griff, who described Mel as ‘a force for life’, adding, “He had a relish for it that seemed utterly inexhaustible.”

He also called the comedian was ‘a gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit,’ saying: “I will look back on the days working with him as some of the funniest times that I have ever spent.”

Meanwhile fellow comic Stephen Fry was among those paying tribute to Mel on Twitter.

“Terrible news about my old friend Mel Smith, dead today from a heart attack,” he said. “Mel lived a full life, but was kind, funny and wonderful to know.”

ITV’s directof of television Peter Fincham praised the funnyman for his ‘extraordinary natural talent,’ adding: “Life was always exciting around Mel. Being funny came naturally to him, so much so that he never seemed to give it a second thought.”

He added: “Mel and Griff were one of the great comedy acts and it’s hard to imagine that one of them is no longer with us.”

Comedian Johnny Vegas said: ‘So sorry to hear of Mel Smith’s untimely passing. My sincere condolences to his family. A great loss, a comedy legend, a nice bloke’, while Matt Lucas described him as a “brilliant writer, actor director and a lovely man too”.

Others to pay tribute included James Corden, who tweeted: “Thank you for the laughs Mel Smith. RIP.”

Meanwhile Not The Nine O’Clock News producer John Lloyd praised Mel for his comic talents.

“Mel did an extraordinary thing – he taught us all how to make comedy natural,” he said.

“He was a brilliant theatre director… Not only was he a great actor, he was a wonderful editor.”

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